Unrecognized hemangiopericytoma of posterior cervical region with intracranial extension

J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2012 Feb;40(2):e51-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2011.01.019. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

Hemangiopericytoma of the posterior cervical space and occipital bone is an uncommon lesion which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lumpy and highly vascular lesion of the posterior cervical space. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman who experienced sudden and painful occipital and posterior cervical swelling. She underwent a blind biopsy which was complicated by profuse bleeding. The palpable lesion was not properly diagnosed preoperatively, and the endocranial extension of the lesion was overlooked by her surgeon who performed a blind biopsy without adequate diagnostic imaging who inadvertently invaded the posterior cranial fossa during biopsy. We would like to emphasize the need for appropriate non-invasive diagnostic investigations before any biopsy of head and neck lesions that may extend deeply.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy / adverse effects
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / injuries
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / pathology
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Dura Mater / pathology
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Hemangiopericytoma / blood supply
  • Hemangiopericytoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Occipital Bone / pathology
  • Skull Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Skull Neoplasms / pathology*